His mother never spoke of her past, but there were times when he'd question her about it and he'd notice a look of longing enter her gaze. The memory assured him this was what his mom would have wanted.
Summer and Kian padded up the winding boardwalk, hand in hand, a canopy of green and gold swaying in the breeze above them.
Fall had turned the woodland into a rainbow of browns, reds, and yellows. Leaves descended, settling in piles all over the forest floor. Summer's feminine scent drifted past him, offering him comfort. The woodland creatures quieted during the autumn time. Many insects had turned in for the season, and most of the animals were too busy preparing for the long winter ahead to make a racket.
Kian glanced at his mate, grinning, eager to get her alone so they could lose themselves in each other. At the same time, an anxious shroud of uncertainty hung over him. He had to perform the ritual today to honor his mom and sister. He hoped he didn't fall flat on his face.
Summer squeezed his hand. “Don't worry. I can see how nervous you are. You are going to do fine. I'll be right there beside you.”
His entire body tensed as he entered the grove. The lot of grass surrounded by trees was filled with dozens of people. He spotted Colin and his mate. Tristan stood to his parents’ left with other shifters from his pack. The alpha's gaze remained locked on Winter. To her credit, Winter didn't crumble beneath his intense stare. She lifted her chin higher.
Gripping Summer's hand tight, Kian scanned the crowd once again. Others he didn't recognize scattered across the grove in groups.
He leaned into Summer and whispered in her ear. “Who are all these people?”
“They're members of the covens and leaders from many other supernatural sections across the country.”
“Why are they here?”
“Their presence was requested by the Goddess.”
Etan spoke first. “Kian, come to the circle.”
Summer began to let his hand go, but he held on tighter. “Where are you going? You're staying right here with me.”
“Tradition states only the eldest offspring may enter the circle,” she explained.
“Screw tradition. It's time to set a new precedent.”
Summer bit her lip and nodded before they both stepped into the circle. Some murmurs fell over the crowd, but Kian ignored them. He didn't give a shit about tradition. Summer had earned her place beside him, and he'd be damned if he let her go now.
“Welcome, Kian and Summer. They both are here to honor coven sister Lenora and her daughter who have…”
Silence fell over the crowd. Etan stood there with his mouth gapping open, his wide eyes cast over Kian and Summer's shoulders at the calm lake behind them. Everyone, even the shifters, fell to their knees. Summer knelt and tugged Kian to follow. He dropped to one knee, yet kept his gaze locked on the lake.
Three figures hovered above the water. They glided closer. The Goddess sighed when her feet touched the ground. “Please rise, my children. I am here to honor the life of two of my children who have gone to the land of light, not to succumb to formality.”
“I see what you mean, little sister.” The male figure smiled.
“Cernnuous, it is a never-ending battle.” The Goddess sighed.
“They show us respect. Such a thing is not formality, but necessity, Flidais.”
“Hush, Morrigan, there is only so much stroking an ego can take before the receiver bursts into flames of conceit.”
Cernnuous snickered. Morrigan crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her violet eyes.
The three deities’ bickering lasted a moment longer, but they soon fell silent and focused on the crowd.
All the supernaturals present hesitated for a moment before they rose one by one.
“Please, do continue, Etan.” The Goddess smiled.
She and her siblings glided over to an empty spot beside one of the witches in attendance. The woman clung to her husband, passing nervous glances at the God and Goddesses standing beside her. Cernnuous smiled, giving her a casual nod.
“Yes, well,” Etan sputtered. “Kian and Summer stand before you to honor my beloved sister and niece, his honored mother and sister, by releasing their spirits to the earth.” Etan glanced at Kian. “Step forward, Kian, son of Lenora. As her living child, you must offer them your blessings and usher them toward the afterlife.” Etan left the circle.
Kian looked at Summer. She smiled and assured him, “We will do it together, my love. Follow my lead.”
Jesus, he loved this woman. She stepped up beside him and cupped her hands over his. Energy buzzed over his skin, and silence settled as their combined power grew. Swirls of sparkling light encased the urn, lifting the vase into the air. The lid burst open and pure radiance shot from the top, shooting straight up into the sky, disappearing into the soft white clouds. A second stream of flashing mist appeared from the eastern sky, greeted the first, and merged with brilliant, glittering splendor.
“Welcome our sisters, Lenora and Alana, to the land of light. They have lived a life with honor.”
“Bye, Mom and Alana,” Kian whispered. “I miss you both so much.” He brushed away a tear from the corner of his eye and lowered his head.
With one last shove of power, the jar exploded into a cloud of twinkling lights. The fluttering stars drifted to the ground, bringing life to wherever they touched. Flowers sprouted, creating a rainbow of red, yellow, and pink. Wind blew through the trees, rattling the leaf-tipped branches like beautiful wind chimes.
A chant rose in the crowd, a melody unlike anything Kian had ever heard. Summer smiled at him and joined the hymn.
I love you, Summer. He spoke the words through their link before bringing her hand to his lips and kissing the top.
Like a whisper in his ear, he heard her beautiful voice drift through his mind. And I love you, my mate.
EPILOGUE
Summer held Kian's hand as they wandered the grove, meeting the supernatural leaders from around the country. There were many beings present. Shifters of all kinds, vampire lords from each court, and of course, many leaders of the witch community.
Why they were asked to attend the crossing ceremony of a deceased witch, Summer didn't know. Yet, when the deities levitated in the center of the grove, Summer knew the answer was at hand.
One by one, all gazes lifted to the deities floating before them as if propped on an invisible stage.
Kian leaned close to Summer. “What's going on?”
Summer shook her head. “I don't know.”
Flidais addressed the crowd. “I know many of you are wondering why you were called here. For one, we are here to honor two of my children who have departed this world for the next. Every life is precious and should be celebrated with the upmost respect and honor. Also, your presence was requested so we may inform you of a decision we have agreed upon that will impact you all.”
“Shifters, you must know this resolution was not made lightly.” Cernnuous cast his stern gaze across the grove, as if anticipating trouble. Shifters lowered their heads in respect.
Morrigan spoke next. “We do this for our future. All of our futures. Our population has declined. The numbers of young being born dwindles.” She zeroed in on the vampires. They nodded in agreement.
“The chance of meeting a mate among any supernatural has become a lottery, my children. We are on the verge of extinction, and if we do nothing, we will disappear. Our fear and bigotry has doomed us, and it cannot continue.” The Goddess’s words echoed as murmurs waved over the crowd. “As we speak, human leaders are preparing their citizens for the reality of our existence.”
Summer's heart sank into her stomach. “No, they cannot do this.”
Others voiced their concerns and anger at the announcement.
“They will kill us,” someone shouted.
“Hunt us like animals,” cried another.
The second the Goddess lifted her hand for silence, the grove grew still.
“As represent
atives of our kind, it will be your responsibility to ease us into this new world.” The Goddess glanced at her brother. “Mates do exist among humans. There are many in the supernatural population who chose to discredit this, especially in the witch community, but your mates are out there.” She glanced at Summer and smiled. “One needs faith and courage to find them.”
After one last glance from each of the deities toward their subjects, they disappeared, leaving behind an eerie silence and shocked stares.
Many of the leaders left once the initial shock wore off, frantic to prepare for the life-changing event set into motion. The announcement struck many with a high level of apprehension and terror, including Summer and her family. Her father, Kian, and Tristan's pack huddled together in deep discussion. Her mother sat with Tristan's mother and another woman from their coven. Their faces darkened with concern and uncertainty.
Still horrified by the news herself, Summer strode toward the small lake edging the grove and glanced out over the still water.
What did the future hold for her people? Would the supernatural community survive this mass exposure?
She remembered back to when she caught Kian in the woods weeks earlier. Blinded by bigotry, she had almost cast him out. Had she not trusted the Goddess's wisdom, she'd be married to a man she'd never love. She'd be broken. Lost. Forced to live a life without passion, without hope and without Kian.
The possibility squeezed her chest like a vice and brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't comprehend an existence without him. It hurt to consider.
Strong arms slid around her. “Why are you over here all alone with the look of despair on your face, baby?” She leaned back into the warmth and strength of her mate.
I fear what will become of my world once humans know of us.
A sense of comfort slid into their link, cutting off her fears, bathing her in warmth and protection. Have faith. It will all work out.
She turned in his arms. Glancing up into his intense, russet brown eyes, she brushed her hand against his cheek. How can you be so sure?
He smiled. “With you by my side, it couldn't end up any other way.”
###
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, won't you please take a moment to leave me a review at your favorite retailer?
Thanks!
K. D. Friedrich
Keep an eye out for A Wicked Series book 2 Heart of a Wolf coming summer 2017!
Acknowledgments
As always, I'd like to thank my daughter for being patient with me while I'm locked deep in my writing zone. She's all the inspiration I need to keep going and to never stop reaching for the stars. Thank you to Joe for telling me not to give up and for all your tight hugs when I needed them. Thanks to my family for their support and encouragement. A special thanks to Hot Tree Editing and my proofreader Gillian Leonard for the tremendous job they did making my story shine. I'd also like to thank all the readers out there for their support and for giving my books a chance. I couldn't do this without you. And finally, to my Dad, who's looking down from heaven with a grin, here's another one for you.
About the author
K. D. Friedrich is a writer of Contemporary and Paranormal Romance. She's a lifelong New Yorker, an overprotective mother (her daughter's words), and an obsessed reader of everything romance. Most days, you can find her hard at work, creating intricate worlds and compelling characters, hot alpha heroes being her favorite. Her novel, Soul Tie Seduction, placed second in the 2013 Golden Palm contest for Paranormal Romance and was a finalist in the 2016 Golden Quill for Paranormal Romance.
WWW.KDFRIEDRICH.COM
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Other books by this author
Contemporary Romance
The Heart Falls Heroes series
Cross My Heart Book 1
Sands of Time Book 2
Morrison on my Mind Book 3
Paranormal Romance
The Jettison Brotherhood
Soul Tie Seduction Book 1
Passion of a Witch: A Wicked Series - Book 1 Page 23
